"No."
Uchiha Obito froze, then turned to look at Zetsu beside him. No, to be precise, it was Black Zetsu. Even he hadn't expected the usually silent Black Zetsu to suddenly speak.
"Reason," Nagato said, his tone calm.
"..."
Meeting the bewildered and scrutinizing gazes of Obito and Nagato, Black Zetsu's liquid-like body rippled slightly. After a moment, it finally spoke in a serious tone: "That 'monster' is very strong, extremely strong. As the leader of Akatsuki, you shouldn't put yourself in danger."
This explanation was unacceptable not just to Nagato, but even to Obito. Nagato, now able to move freely, possessed power that Pain couldn't possibly match. Black Zetsu's so-called "monster," as long as it was still human, couldn't possibly contend with Nagato, who possessed the "God's Eyes."
"Enough, Zetsu. I am a god now. You can't possibly imagine a mortal defeating me," Nagato also didn't accept Black Zetsu's explanation, but after a pause, he turned to Obito: "Since Zetsu is so certain, Madara, you will accompany me."
Hearing this, Uchiha Obito instinctively wanted to refuse, but then he saw Black Zetsu control its body to look at him. Without a doubt, Black Zetsu's meaning was clear: he should agree to Nagato's proposal.
If it were possible, Black Zetsu would never allow Nagato to attempt to approach that suspected "outsider from beyond the heavens," even if that individual was likely no longer in the Land of Hot Water. However, Black Zetsu also knew very well that if it continued to object, Nagato would inevitably grow suspicious. The two words spoken impulsively just now already made it regretful, as it was completely out of character for its usual silent and reserved demeanor.
Since it was impossible to stop them, the best option now was to have Obito accompany them, ensuring that Nagato did not come into contact with the individual.
At this moment, Obito was unaware of Black Zetsu's true thoughts. In his perception, Black Zetsu was Uchiha Madara's will. So, when he saw Black Zetsu's signal, he immediately became wary. His first reaction was that the monster was indeed very strong, so strong that even Uchiha Madara was cautious.
Thus, after a moment of silence, Uchiha Obito nodded, agreeing to Nagato's suggestion. Regardless, the Rinnegan could not be lost.
Meanwhile, in Amegakure, Konan slowly opened her eyes.
"How was it?" Hyuga Kawa asked with a smile, seated opposite her. Hanzō also cast a curious gaze upon her.
Konan looked at this individual, far more mysterious than "Madara," a hint of shock and apprehension flashing in her eyes, but she still nodded. "Just as you said, Madara agreed."
Yes, the final outcome was just as "Kage" had predicted. Even Zetsu's reaction was within his expectations; "Madara" actually cared about Black Zetsu's opinion.
"What exactly do you want to do?" Konan finally couldn't help but ask. The silent Hanzō quietly looked up. Both of them now realized that everything seemed to be under "Kage's" guidance. This was also the reason for Konan's shock and apprehension.
However, towards the "Kage" before her, she couldn't harbor hostility as she did towards "Madara." This was because she couldn't detect "Kage's" true purpose, nor could she sense any intention to use the Akatsuki organization. But if Nagato had truly been manipulated as a pawn since childhood, then this person, by exposing the lies and revealing the truth, had undoubtedly saved her, Nagato, and the future of Akatsuki.
So, what was it all for?
"Hm?" Hyuga Kawa looked up, smiling in confusion. "Didn't I say? You just need to do everything you want to do."
"However, if Miss Konan insists on an answer..." Speaking here, he paused, and softly said, "I am merely pruning branches and removing pests, while anticipating what kind of flowers will bloom. That is all."
Konan stared at him blankly, only hearing genuine sincerity in his words. Just do everything we want to do? Merely pruning branches and anticipating what kind of flowers will bloom?
[Ding! Your lie has been judged as [utter nonsense][flowery rhetoric][feigned innocence][using a borrowed knife to kill], causing intense emotional fluctuations in Hanzō, Nagato, and Konan, reaching the level of [firm belief]. You have gained 2000 Fulfillment Points.]
[Remaining Fulfillment Points: 14254]
Hearing the prompt in his mind, a calm smile appeared on Hyuga Kawa's shadow-shrouded face. Of course, he wasn't without desires; he simply didn't need to state his desires outright, like Obito. His method was to subtly transform his desires into theirs.
"Since 'Madara' has been lured out, then, next..." Under the gazes of Hanzō and Konan, Hyuga Kawa slowly stood up and smiled, "I will help Nagato unveil that guy's mask."
"But before that, I need to make some preparations. Can you help me find a room?"
Hanzō also stood up at his words, led him to his secret chamber, and then discreetly withdrew.
After Hanzō left, Hyuga Kawa sat cross-legged. First, he took out the sealed White Zetsu from a scroll, then a bloody piece of flesh. This was Yamato's flesh.
Hyuga Kawa had been wondering why he, despite possessing the Ōtsutsuki bloodline, couldn't awaken various kekkei genkai. It was highly likely not due to a lack of mastery over earth and water nature transformations of chakra. If merely mastering earth and water nature transformations was enough, then not just Hashirama Senju and Yamato would be able to use Wood Release.
In fact, he could choose to directly devour and transplant, like Hiruko or Obito, but in Hyuga Kawa's view, both methods had drawbacks. With his Ōtsutsuki bloodline, he should have a better option.
As he gained a deeper understanding of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline, he gradually realized that the fundamental nature of the Ōtsutsuki clan's life seemed to be different from that of humans, who are composed of cells. Why did the Ōtsutsuki clan inherently possess various abilities? Was it because of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline? And what was the essence of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline itself?
Then, Hyuga Kawa thought of the effects of "Karma," of the Ōtsutsuki clan's divine arts, and even of the Ōtsutsuki clan's names. Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki, Urashiki Ōtsutsuki, Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki... If his Ōtsutsuki bloodline was considered an initial "formula," did he need to fill in other "formulas" to calculate other results?
Why did Yamato's Wood Release manifest as "wood," while Hashirama's Wood Release manifested as "trees," and Uchiha Obito's Wood Release became "thorns"? The manifestations of Wood Release were different, yet there seemed to be a core. Judging from White Zetsu Tobi being able to use Wood Release, the decisive factor should be the God Tree. Ashura and Hashirama, as Ashura's reincarnations, inherited something from the God Tree.
The original work mentioned an entity named "Ōtsutsuki Shibai", who, by consuming countless Chakra Fruits, eventually evolved into a god and also gained those divine arts that could be called "rules." God Trees and fruits grown in different worlds might be different complex "formulas." Was consuming God Trees and fruits about completing oneself? Formalizing or even digitizing oneself, and thereby grasping the concepts and rules of the world?
It was indeed a crazy conjecture. If others knew of Hyuga Kawa's speculation, they would surely deem it a wild fantasy. But when everyone thinks you're crazy, it proves you're not far from the truth of the world.
"Let me verify it." Hyuga Kawa narrowed his eyes, silently thinking: "Extract the 'core formula' of Wood Release from the White Zetsu and flesh, and fill it into my Ōtsutsuki bloodline."
[Unable to materialize]
"Unable to materialize..." Hyuga Kawa frowned. "Is my conjecture wrong, or is it because it cannot directly affect myself?" Items can be materialized, ninjutsu can also be materialized, but bloodlines and the like cannot...
After a long period of contemplation, Hyuga Kawa slowly raised his head, his eyes flickering with light. He thought: "Materialize - extract the 'underlying formula' of Wood Release from the flesh and White Zetsu and convert it into a jutsu."
At this point, he paused, adding: "The points spent shall not exceed 4254." He now only had 14254 points left, and he needed to be as frugal as possible.
The voice in his mind seemed to stutter for a moment before continuing to sound.
[Costing 4500 Fulfillment Points, materialize?]
"A pity." Hyuga Kawa moistened his dry lips, thinking, "Materialize."
Let me see what the essence of Wood Release truly is.
[Deducting 4500 Fulfillment Points, Remaining Fulfillment Points: 9704]
The moment the prompt sounded, the world before Hyuga Kawa's eyes changed. In his current vision, countless thin, cold "threads" emitted faint glows of different colors. The world before him shed its inherent form, transforming into a vast, precise, silently operating structure composed of countless "threads" flowing, intertwining, constantly coming into being and ceasing to exist.
Feeling the coolness of some threads brushing against his face, Hyuga Kawa realized that was the concept called "wind." Everything was a "phenomenon" produced by these "threads" operating under specific rules, something he could not touch or change at this moment.
Until, Hyuga Kawa looked at the gap between the walls, at an unusually clear patch of green, and the roots extending several times deeper. It was just a single weed, barely larger than a needlepoint, pitiably small and fragile. Two tender, yellowish-pale, scrawny leaves stubbornly grew in the crevice between the walls, struggling for a life destined to be short-lived, relying on meager nutrients.
"This feeling..." Hyuga Kawa instinctively reached out and gently touched the weed.
The next moment, it was as if he had plucked a string.
Buzz...
He saw the originally weak and pale little weed: its two shriveled cotyledons instantly unfurled, shedding their withered yellow and growing vibrant, tender green. The slender stem shot sharply upwards, more leaves unfurling, expanding, and growing from its tip. The delicate roots branched out downwards at a furious pace!
And Hyuga Kawa finally knew what he had gained. He had gained an instruction, an instruction to interfere with "rules." Although incredibly weak at this moment, it touched the essence of the world.
'Growth'
This was the authority of a god, the initial divine art. Could it be that the core inherited by Wood Release from the God Tree was truly a "rule" of the world?
Just as Hyuga Kawa was lost in thought over this, a prompt suddenly sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Your lie has been judged as [deception], causing intense emotional fluctuations in Gamamaru, reaching the level of [shock and uncertainty]. You have gained 8000 Fulfillment Points.]
[Remaining Fulfillment Points: 17754]
Looking at the instantly surging points, Hyuga Kawa was completely stunned. Wait, what lie did I tell? Hold on, Gamamaru? Is it that old toad who pretends to be a god?
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